Garden City wins fourth in row; takes down Laramie County

McCook, NEB-Garden City went the distance again.  

Fiona Arnold and Apolline Lepuissant combined for 31 kills, Miranda Jenkins recorded 24 digs, and the Broncbusters beat Laramie County in five sets 16-25, 25-22, 25-21, 24-26, 15-12 Friday night in game two of the 2022 McCook Invitational. It was Garden City's fourth straight win to improve to 11-2 overall.  

"We didn't have our best today, but when we needed to make plays, someone always seemed to step up and make a play," Head Coach Patrick Hiltz said afterwards. "The only thing holding us back is serve receive." 

That was the main issue as the Broncbusters dropped the opening set for the second straight match. But Garden City responded in the second. Trailing 19-16, Lepuissant's attack was followed by a pair of Milovanovic's kills; the last of which was setup by a tremendous dig by Lepuissant. It was all part of a 9-2 run to close the set that was punctuated by a Laramie County attack error.  

"When we pass the ball, we are very difficult to beat," Hiltz added. Against Laramie, when we finally decided to lock in on serve receive, we were able to turn the game around." 

After taking the third set, Garden City had a chance to put the match away in the fourth. But after nursing a 23-22 advantage, Laramie County scored four of the final five points to force a fifth set.  

"We should have probably won in four sets, but what's the fun in that," Hiltz said jokingly. "I'm proud of this team and the way they continue to fight." 

As they did in Friday's opener, Garden City dominated the early stages of the final frame. But after building a 9-3 lead, Laramie County scored six straight points to tie things up. That's when Garden City answered the bell again. Following a long rally, Lepuissant finally put an attack away. Moments later, Jenkins dove and dug a ball out from the ground that landed over the net and just inside the right boundary. It was reminiscent to a play she made vs. Dodge City on Wednesday. Then, on match point, Milovanovic smashed a kill, giving Garden City their 11th win in their first 13 matches.  

"This team never gives up on each other," Hiltz said. "That is our biggest strength." 

Lepuissant added 34 digs, and Tola Maczka notched 36 assists for Garden City, which now has the second most wins in the Jayhawk West behind only Hutchinson.